JOIN CAFÉ PROTEST AGAINST FORD ECO-TOWN
• VENUE: YAPTON GREEN, YAPTON
• DATE: WEDNESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER
• TIME: 7.00 PM START
• LIGHTING UP TIME: 8.00PM
Hot dogs, donuts and soft drinks will be available
NATIONAL NO ECO-TOWN BEACON NIGHT
Saturday, 20 September 2008
Friday, 19 September 2008
ASA Bans Eco-Town ads
The Advertising Standards Authority has banned a press campaign for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) consultation because it is misleading. Click for more...
Click here for the full ASA Adjudication.
Click here for the full ASA Adjudication.
Thursday, 18 September 2008
CAFÉ~AID!
SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 8pm - Live music at the LAMB PUB, Bilsham Lane, Yapton.www.monochromemuseum.co.uk
David Francis, acoustic guitarist from New York, often likened to Neil Young and early McCartney has donated his time and talent for the night along with local girl Jo Macaffety who writes her own songs and has played alongside several well known artists.
The lamb will be donating a POUND to CAFE for every meal sold. So come along and enjoy good homemade food and international music. Food ranges from potato skins to real ale pie or simply fish and chips.
David Francis, acoustic guitarist from New York, often likened to Neil Young and early McCartney has donated his time and talent for the night along with local girl Jo Macaffety who writes her own songs and has played alongside several well known artists.
The lamb will be donating a POUND to CAFE for every meal sold. So come along and enjoy good homemade food and international music. Food ranges from potato skins to real ale pie or simply fish and chips.
The political pressure is building up!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7622324.stm
The pressure on Mr Brown does seem to me to reflect some of our concerns about this Eco Town policy being 'foisted' onto local communities. Like this piece from the BBC:
"Mr Milburn said he welcomed Mr Brown's commitment to put more power into the hands of people, but that a "splurge of Whitehall initiatives" seemed to point in the opposite direction.
"Public disengagement is a symptom of disempowerment. Too often we shut people out when we should be letting them in," he said.
Mr Milburn added: "This half-in, half-out approach won't work. Uncertainty has to make way for clarity."
So it'll be all eyes on the Labour Party conference to see what Gordon's commitment about putting power back into local communities actually means!
The pressure on Mr Brown does seem to me to reflect some of our concerns about this Eco Town policy being 'foisted' onto local communities. Like this piece from the BBC:
"Mr Milburn said he welcomed Mr Brown's commitment to put more power into the hands of people, but that a "splurge of Whitehall initiatives" seemed to point in the opposite direction.
"Public disengagement is a symptom of disempowerment. Too often we shut people out when we should be letting them in," he said.
Mr Milburn added: "This half-in, half-out approach won't work. Uncertainty has to make way for clarity."
So it'll be all eyes on the Labour Party conference to see what Gordon's commitment about putting power back into local communities actually means!
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Lib Dems in eco-town motion
The Liberal Democrats have adopted a motion opposing the government's eco town plans. The party said at its annual conference that the Labour administration is "misleading" the public by attaching a green label to a scheme that only requires "moderate" standards of environmental friendliness. Click here fore more... And here...
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Fight, fight, fight!
Lots of talk about Labour leadership challenges over the last few days. This is a good thing and the opportunity to boot Gordon Brown (trousers) out of Downing Street is long overdue! It will also prove that Labour are on a sinking ship. John McDonnell - who has long been urging a leadership election - described current Labour infighting as "like watching the crew having a punch up on the deck of the Titanic". Haha!
If Gordon Brown (trousers) goes - hopefully his stupid grand Eco-Town scheme will go with him. I'm looking forward to a good old political fight! Bring it on!
If Gordon Brown (trousers) goes - hopefully his stupid grand Eco-Town scheme will go with him. I'm looking forward to a good old political fight! Bring it on!
Saturday, 13 September 2008
Judicial review threat to Eco-Towns
The future of Gordon Brown's eco-town policy has been brought under threat after a judge ruled that part of the project should be subject to judicial review. Click for more...
Friday, 12 September 2008
Dear Mr Adam Sampson,
I am absolutely appalled that SHELTER has been given government funding, which effectively comes out of my pocket, and that of other tax-payers, to enable you to act as a stooge for a highly political manoeuvre involving stuffing thousands of people into, in some cases, an entirely unsuitable location, miles from where they live or come from.
I am as much in favour as anyone, of providing suitable homes to people who cannot afford them - although there is an issue about unreasonable levels of expectation too, in our current leaderless and “I want it all” society – but forcing a size ten foot into a size four shoe is not the answer. The current housing figures are also highly dubious, given that there is no method of de-conflicting figures for applications from one area to another, leading to inflation of figures by as much as 300%
You should be aware that, in quoting statistics of those needing homes in the Ford location in West Sussex, the official figure of 4,000 is highly misleading. 2,000 of these are based on Bognor Regis, which has an adequate infrastructure and is currently undergoing a regeneration programme costing several million pounds; and another 1,700 are based in Littlehampton (ditto). Although we have asked local people if they wish to move away from Bognor and Littlehampton, with possible loss of job, friends and family (and assuming they have transport to get round a rural area), we have had no response This leaves only 200 people, from the District, who might or might not want to live at Ford.
Conversely we have signatures of over 10,000 people in 4 months, who think the Ford scheme is a bad idea.
As someone involved in another charity, I am disgusted that you allow yourself and your charity to be used in this way. Further I am pleased that this misuse of taxpayers money has been legally challenged. I shall be writing to your Trustees.
Terry Knott MC FRSM
Chairman CAFÉ
www.nofordecotown.com
www.arun.gov.uk/ecotown
I am as much in favour as anyone, of providing suitable homes to people who cannot afford them - although there is an issue about unreasonable levels of expectation too, in our current leaderless and “I want it all” society – but forcing a size ten foot into a size four shoe is not the answer. The current housing figures are also highly dubious, given that there is no method of de-conflicting figures for applications from one area to another, leading to inflation of figures by as much as 300%
You should be aware that, in quoting statistics of those needing homes in the Ford location in West Sussex, the official figure of 4,000 is highly misleading. 2,000 of these are based on Bognor Regis, which has an adequate infrastructure and is currently undergoing a regeneration programme costing several million pounds; and another 1,700 are based in Littlehampton (ditto). Although we have asked local people if they wish to move away from Bognor and Littlehampton, with possible loss of job, friends and family (and assuming they have transport to get round a rural area), we have had no response This leaves only 200 people, from the District, who might or might not want to live at Ford.
Conversely we have signatures of over 10,000 people in 4 months, who think the Ford scheme is a bad idea.
As someone involved in another charity, I am disgusted that you allow yourself and your charity to be used in this way. Further I am pleased that this misuse of taxpayers money has been legally challenged. I shall be writing to your Trustees.
Terry Knott MC FRSM
Chairman CAFÉ
www.nofordecotown.com
www.arun.gov.uk/ecotown
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Government faces eco-town judicial review
The government’s eco-town policy will be subject to a judicial review after a campaign group won a ruling in the High Court today.
The Better Accessible Regional Development campaign (BARD) applied for a judicial review in June this year, challenging the government’s eco-town consultation processes.
Now the case will be subject to a full hearing at the High Court before the end of the year. Click here for more...
The Better Accessible Regional Development campaign (BARD) applied for a judicial review in June this year, challenging the government’s eco-town consultation processes.
Now the case will be subject to a full hearing at the High Court before the end of the year. Click here for more...
Sunday, 7 September 2008
What does lord Rogers think about Eco-Towns?
On Sunday 07 September Andrew Marr interviewed Lord Rogers and the question about Eco-Towns popped up! And guess what - he doesn't think they are a good idea either!
Click to see it here - (about 20 minutes into the show)
Link will be online until Sunday September 14th
Click to read it here...
Click to see it here - (about 20 minutes into the show)
Link will be online until Sunday September 14th
Click to read it here...
Saturday, 6 September 2008
Government paid charity to produce eco-town 'fact' leaflets
Gordon Brown's eco-towns scheme was embroiled in new controversy last night as a housing charity admitted it had been paid to produce information leaflets setting out the Government's case. Shelter, one of the few organisations backing the plan to build new towns in the English countryside, said it had been given £100,000 by the Government to publish a series of 13 pamphlets, one for each proposed eco-town site. Click for more...Nice to see Gordon Brown diverting taxpayers money for government propaganda - he is a very desperate man! I would be most interested to know if Shelter have received any Lottery funding in the last few months?
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Cabe slams schemes by eco-towns architect
Cabe has slammed two residential schemes designed by Barton Willmore comprising more than 7,000 homes between them. Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps said the reviews set “alarm bells ringing” because Barton Willmore is also designing two of the government’s proposed eco-towns.Click for more...I wonder what Cabe will make of the Ford Eco Town proposal?
Caroline Flint apologises over Brownfield misinformation
Sadly not for Ford - but I think it clearly emphasises how concerned the DCLG were to mislead the public about the amount of Brownfield land to be covered in the Eco Towns.
An Eco Con indeed!
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2008/09/03/michael-fabricant-wins-government-apology-over-eco-town-plan-advert-97319-21667981/
An Eco Con indeed!
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2008/09/03/michael-fabricant-wins-government-apology-over-eco-town-plan-advert-97319-21667981/
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Less than 30 days...
There is still time to sign the petition...
You can download it or sign online here...
Do it now - the clock is ticking...
You can download it or sign online here...
Do it now - the clock is ticking...
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Is Flint listening?
Caroline Flint has asked people all over the country to write and email with their concerns regarding the Eco-Town shortlist. This was to be a democratic public consultation, however, for some reason her department has fallen silent on the matter.
I wrote several letters to Ms Flint who has chosen not to responded to any of my concerns. It appears Ms Flint and Labour are ignoring the facts that eco-towns in some areas are unwanted and unconvincing, despite the green bodge job glossed over this absurd idea.
We had only three months to voice our concerns... Everyday I wait for a response... Its been several months now Ms Flint... Is this democratic and fair?
Hi Mr. Gummidge. Hope you had a good summer.
I am trying to comment on the Does Caroline Folint Listen entry in the Blog but, as usual, stumble when I have to enter my password and user name - which is never recognised. However, perhaps you would be kind enough to print my comment below on that entry. Many thanks, Tricia Wales
I too have written to ms Flint on several occasions and have sent a copy of each letter to Gordon Brown. I have received two letters from 10 Downing Street thanking me and acknowledging the copy letters I have sent, but surprise surprise not a dicky bird from Caroline Flint Which shows what an ignorant, uneducated individual we are dealing with here, who is without even basic common courtesy or manners!
I wrote several letters to Ms Flint who has chosen not to responded to any of my concerns. It appears Ms Flint and Labour are ignoring the facts that eco-towns in some areas are unwanted and unconvincing, despite the green bodge job glossed over this absurd idea.
We had only three months to voice our concerns... Everyday I wait for a response... Its been several months now Ms Flint... Is this democratic and fair?
Hi Mr. Gummidge. Hope you had a good summer.
I am trying to comment on the Does Caroline Folint Listen entry in the Blog but, as usual, stumble when I have to enter my password and user name - which is never recognised. However, perhaps you would be kind enough to print my comment below on that entry. Many thanks, Tricia Wales
I too have written to ms Flint on several occasions and have sent a copy of each letter to Gordon Brown. I have received two letters from 10 Downing Street thanking me and acknowledging the copy letters I have sent, but surprise surprise not a dicky bird from Caroline Flint Which shows what an ignorant, uneducated individual we are dealing with here, who is without even basic common courtesy or manners!
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